We heard it through the grapevine 🍷

William Chris Vineyards’ Hye tasting room is one of the go-to stops on this year’s Texas Wine Month Passport. | Photo provided by William Chris Wine Company

October may be the official start of spooky season, but in Texas, it’s also the start of another season altogether — sipping season.

That’s right, October is Texas Wine Month. The annual event celebrates local wineries with a month’s worth of tastings + supports Hill Country vintners. Here’s how to participate.

First, let’s learn about Texas’ wine industry.

Move over, California. Did you know the first European-style vineyard in North America was established in Texas in 1662?

Almost 400 years later, Texas grapes are still growing strong. In fact, the Hill Country is the third-largest wine growing region — also called an American Viticultural Area — in the US.

Here are some more fast facts:

There are more than 4,000 acres of vineyard in Texas
Wine contributes $13.1 billion each year to Texas’ economy
The industry employs 104,000+ people
More than 1.7 million travelers visit Texas wineries each year

A map of wineries participating in Texas Wine Month — More than 45 Hill Country wineries are participating in Texas Wine Month — find one near you using our interactive map.

How can you participate in Texas Wine Month?

Texas Wine Month is already underway, and will officially end on Halloween.

If you’re looking to spend the month on cloud wine, Wine Month passports are available for $120 per couple or $85 per person. The passports grant access to 45+ Hill Country wineries — including Austin-area spots such as Driftwood Estate Winery, Flat Creek Estate Winery, and Fall Creek Vineyards — plus coupons + a complimentary tasting.

For every passport purchased, $5 will also be donated to the Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Fund, which supports Texans working toward degrees in viticulture.

Here are some must-visit wineries on our list:

William Chris Vineyards | 10352 US 290, Hye
Perissos Vineyards and Winery | 7214 Park Rd. 4 West, Burnet
Pedernales Cellars | 2916 Upper Albert Rd., Stonewall

If nearly four dozen wine tastings won’t fit into your October calendar, support local vintners at the 32nd Fredericksburg Food + Wine Fest on Sat., Oct. 22. The annual event includes wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and a grape toss — can you say caber-yay?

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Butler Opera Center - Midday Concert Series | Tue., Oct. 4 | 12-1 p.m. | KMFA Classical 89.5 Draylen Mason Music Studio, 41 Navasota St., Austin | Free | Students from The Sarah and Ernest Butler Opera Center will perform a free preview of the Shakespeare Gala.
Fall Bat Guided Walk | Tue., Oct. 4 | 8-9 p.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | $8.00 - $15.00 | Learn about Mexican free-tailed bats using an echo meter + smartphone on this walk with Bat Conservation International. 🦇

Wednesday, October 5

The Smashing Pumpkins: “Spirits On Fire” Tour | Wed., Oct. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $49.00 - $170.00 | Special guests Jane’s Addiction + Poppy will join the 90s rock band at this downtown concert. 🎸

Thursday, October 6

Dessert in the Desert | Thu., Oct. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Museum of Ice Cream, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace #128, Austin | Free | Get prepped for ACL with free bandanas + temporary tattoos or just enjoy your night with Desert Door cocktails and the museum’s Halloween experience. 🎃
Music in The Park at Indeed Tower | Thu., Oct. 6 | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Park at Indeed Tower, 200 West Sixth St., Austin | Free | This free event for Austinites of all ages features blues group Shadow Band + eats from SXSE Food Truck. 🎶

Friday, October 7

Round Rock Chalk Walk Arts Festival | Fri., Oct. 7 - Sat., Oct. 8 | Times vary | Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock | Show off your art skills with chalk drawing competitions at Round Rock’s largest festival, which also features performances, vendors, and food.🎨

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

88º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Stat

38%. That’s the percentage of Austin musicians who are struggling to pay for housing, according to recent results from this year’s Greater Austin Music Census. More than 2,200 music industry workers answered the survey, which could inform policy + nonprofit action. (KXAN)

Health

At-risk individuals are now eligible to receive a monkeypox vaccine in Austin. Check your eligibility and sign up for an appointment online here.

Film

Alamo Drafthouse is auctioning off rare prints + movie posters from its Mondo archive collection from Thurs., Oct. 6-Thurs., Oct. 27. The proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Alamo Community Fund, which is managed by the cinema. 🎥 (Austin American-Statesman)

Biz

Tesla-bots, roll out. The Austin-based EV company revealed an early prototype for a humanoid robot on Friday. CEO Elon Musk has said he envisions manufacturing a robot that costs less than a car within five years. 🤖 (FOX 7 Austin)

Coming Soon

Nashville hot chicken chain Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is coming to Austin, with plans to open a location on South Lamar Boulevard. The Tennessee fan favorite serves up crispy hot chicken sandwiches + wings. 🍗 (Eater Austin)

Edu

UT Austin is partnering with the San Antonio Zoo to research endangered aquatic species in the Edwards Aquifer, including a widemouth blindcat (nicknamed “Satan,” after its scientific name, “Satan eurystomus”) and the Texas blind salamander. (The Daily Texan)

Civic

Austin City Council is moving forward on turning a piece of city-owned property into a mixed-use project with 232 units of affordable housing. The development is slated for Red River Street downtown. 🏗 (Austin Culture Map)
After almost a month of heavy restrictions, Cedar Park residents can now resume some outdoor watering. Limits were placed in early September to allow repairs on an underwater line in Lake Travis. 🚰 (KXAN)

Seasonal

Texas’ pecan crop may not be so plentiful this year. Drought + summer heat challenged growers, who were already facing obstacles due to pecan trees’ cyclical harvest cycle. (KXAN)

State

For the first time in Texas history, Asian American women will represent the Lone Star State in the country’s two most prestigious pageants. Cheer on R’Bonney Gabriel in the Miss USA pageant this week + Averie Bishop when she competes for Miss America in December. 👑 (CBS Austin)

Shop

Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only thing heating up this fall. Shop the hottest local fashion in our online retails store, all while supporting ATXtoday. We’re talking cozy sweatshirts, comfortable caps, and fashionable bags. Snag your favorite ATX gear now.

Listen

Trainual CEO Chris Ronzio recently chatted with Alan Stein, Jr., an acclaimed basketball performance coach who has worked with Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry. Listen to their conversation to learn how Alan pivoted from basketball to working with high-performing business leaders + teams. 🏀 *

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SURVEY

City Showdown: Austin vs. Kansas City

A gif showing comparisons of Austin and Kansas City skylines

Which city will you be rooting for? | Gif via KCtoday

Austin and Kansas City share quite a few similarities. Both have similar-sized metropolitan populations and are known for food, music, sports — and excellent local newsletters, such as yours truly.

Now, we’re pitting bats against fountains + crowns against hearts. It’s a City Showdown in the making, but first we need your help. Which four categories should we compare? Let us know.

Barbecue
Drinks
Sports
Murals
Music
Outdoors
Weirdness
Fill-in-the blank

YOU'RE UP FIRST

SHOP

6 ways to up your kitchen game

Shop the best of the best (read: highly rated, top-selling items) to cook up some kitchen magic.*

Mix, knead, and shape pasta dough | Philips Viva Pasta Maker, $179.95+
Skip the oven + go Smart Oven | Breville Mini Smart Oven, $159.95+
Keep champagne fresh | Champagne bottle stopper, $10
Craft cold brew at home | Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $27.99
Cut out 3D turkey cookies | 3D Turkey Cookie Cutter Set, $12.95
Open wine with ease | Electric Wine Opener, $29.04

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Happy National Taco Day, Austin. In celebration, I may just pick up my favorites from Veracruz All Natural for breakfast — a migas + furioso.

Where are your favorite local taco spots? 🌮

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Camila McConaughey’s Texas-sized storytime.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Dayten Rose, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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